Columbus deputy city manager tells all about the Tuskegee Morehouse Classic

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) — Saturday, the Tuskegee Tigers and Morehouse Tigers went head-to-head for what’s been called the “Grand Daddy of all HBCU Classics”. WRBL spoke with Lisa Goodwin, the Columbus Deputy City Manager, who shared how the classic came to be.

Goodwin explained that this rivalry game has always been about inclusion.

“Georgia and Auburn that played here at the AJ McClung Stadium. And it was during that time that the black soldiers could not attend that game,” says Goodwin. “And as a result of that, we had alumni from both Tuskegee Institute and Morehouse College that came together and said, never again. We would not have that, and we’re going to create our own for our own. And so that’s what they did.”

Goodwin says the Tuskegee Tigers and Morehouse Tigers have been playing against each other since 1902. Goodwin being a Tuskegee University Alumni says this game has always been a big deal.

The Tuskegee Morehouse Classic was known for bringing familiar faces to the city, like Denzel Washington in 2005.

“Back in the day people dressed to the nines to come to this game,” Goodwin shared.

She says the classic is a family event that incorporates the next generations.

People from all over came to the Chattahoochee Valley to tailgate. Goodwin says this is part of the excitement around the Tuskegee Morehouse Classic.

“It’s just going to be a big rush for everybody because the excitement, they’re excited about them coming back together and I think you’re going to see more people come out just because they’re back,” Goodwin says.

The 85th annual Tuskegee Morehouse Game returned to the historic A.J. McClung Stadium after five years. Although the rivals competed against each other for three years in Birmingham, organizers do not account for those three years.

“When it went away, it wasn’t the Tuskegee Morehouse Classic, it was the Morehouse Tuskegee classic. And they could not of course use our domain,” says Goodwin.

She says that all proceeds from the event went to scholarships for students.

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